JAKE PAUL received praise by Terence Crawford but was urged to fight a “real boxer” next and NOT another MMA star.
The YouTuber-turned prizefighter has slowly began winning the backing of those in the boxing business.
But he is yet to face a seasoned boxer in his 6-0 career despite beating UFC legend Anderson Silva in October.
Silva, 47, did have a 4-1 record in the ring but it marked another former MMA champion that Paul, 25, had the beating of.
Now pound-for-pound star Crawford, 35, wants to see the American step up his competition and face a professional boxer.
He said on The MMA Hour: “When you look at Jake Paul, he’s been training for years.
“He’s been fighting without head gear and fighting in the back of his yard. Jake Paul definitely became a professional in this sport.
“I just want to see him actually fight a real fighter, At this point in time.
“Any real boxer. Not an MMA fighter that you’re bigger than. Somebody your weight. Get him a real fight. Test him out.
“Not somebody in the top-10, just a real fighter that we can say, ‘OK, Jake, you fought such and such, he was ranked 15,’ or something, and we can gauge from there.”
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Paul has signed to fight 8-0 Tommy Fury, 23, TWICE and 13-2 heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, 31.
Fury was withdrawn amid a rib injury and US visa issue while Rahman pulled out due to a weight disagreement.
Paul confirmed he will return in February and was sending out offers to three different opponents.
Fury’s side had revealed talks were ongoing to reschedule the celebrity grudge match in 2023.
